Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, speaks at the UN Security Council meeting on Israel-Iran conflict on June 13, 2025. Courtesy: X@PakistanUN_NY
UNITED NATIONS:
With the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories remaining dire despite the October 10 Israel-Hamas ceasefire, Pakistan has called for steps to ensure adherence to the truce agreement to stop the bloodshed, ensure humanitarian relief and pave the way for the reconstruction of Gaza.
“Israeli airstrikes have killed and injured civilians, including children; more than three hundred Palestinians have reportedly been killed since the ceasefire announcement,” Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent reprevsentative of Pakistan to the UN, told the UN Security Council on Tuesday.
“This reveals a stark truth: peace declared in words has not yet brought full protection and stability on ground,” he said in the course of a debate on the situation in the Middle East.
“Lives are still being lost, homes are still being demolished, and families remain in fear,” the Pakistani envoy said, adding that the settler violence in the West Bank had risen to “unprecedented” levels.
“Entire communities have been displaced, especially in the northern West Bank, amid closures, raids and increasing intimidation.” Ambassador Asim Ahmad said. Palestinians, he added, must be allowed to return to their homes, and communities must be able to function without constant fear.
Pakistan, he recalled had welcomed the initiative and personal engagement of US President Donald Trump and the proposals to end the war, rebuild Gaza, prevent displacement, advance comprehensive peace and halt the annexation of the West Bank.
Throughout this period, Pakistan had been constructively engaging, consistent with its principled and longstanding support for the Palestinian people and their inalienable rights.
“Pakistan joined this process, as it offers a pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood,” the Pakistani envoy added.
“To ensure efforts translate into progress, resolution 2803 (2025) must be implemented in good faith, notably to advance Palestinian-led and -owned governance”, he said.
Ambassador Asim Ahmad called for full adherence to the ceasefire.
